Sibert to Head Integrated Health System

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Sept. 27, 2010 – Thomas E. Sibert, M.D., MBA, has been named president and chief operating officer of the integrated health system of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. This new position was endorsed by the Medical Center’s board of directors last week and is effective immediately.

As president and COO of the clinical enterprise, Sibert is responsible for oversight of the full scope of Medical Center clinical care operations to include all hospitals, ambulatory clinics, outpatient facilities, management of Wake Forest University Physicians (WFUP) and Wake Forest University Baptist Community Physicians, nursing services, administrative personnel, ancillary services, support staff, and areas previously associated with his former role as chief medical officer.

The latter include regulatory requirements, quality, safety, and service excellence initiatives. The chairs of the Medical Center’s clinical departments will have a dual report to Sibert and to the dean of the Medical School, William B. Applegate, M.D., MPH, MACP. Sibert will continue to report directly to John D. McConnell, M.D., chief executive officer of Wake Forest Baptist.

This reorganization will lead to some changes in reporting relationships at the Medical Center through the remainder of the calendar year. The president of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Donny Lambeth, will report to Sibert. Lambeth’s duties will include oversight of the Medical Center’s other hospitals and affiliates including Lexington Memorial Hospital and Davie County Hospital and will be expanded to include strengthening community and governmental relationships both locally and in Raleigh.

In making today’s announcement, McConnell said, “Dr. Sibert’s leadership as president of Wake Forest University Physicians and chief medical officer for the past 12 months has led to rapid improvements and a stronger foundation for excellence in clinical services and patient satisfaction. Tom’s academic and clinical knowledge, managerial abilities and understanding of faculty and staff needs make him a great fit for this new position,” said McConnell.

In this new role, Sibert will place great emphasis on improving core excellence in operations and service, streamlining clinical services, and further integrating clinical components of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences. This move follows the legal integration of the component parts of the Medical Center into a single operating organization on July 1. McConnell added, “Ensuring the right operating structure is crucial for the Medical Center as we move forward to improve efficiency and service for the betterment of our patients. It is one step closer in our vision to improve health in our region, state and nation for the betterment of society-at-large.”

Sibert has more than 30 years of executive management, academic, research and clinical care experience, and is recognized as a national leader in the areas of quality and patient experience.

“When I came to Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center a little over a year ago, I was impressed with the skill of the faculty, the dedication of our staff and administration, and the interest of all in striving to improve,” Sibert said. “Since that time and despite an already distinguished academic and clinical record, the institution has shown its willingness to change in the interest of further excellence in all its missions in order to follow a cohesive strategy for the future.

“It is both exciting and challenging to be able to step into this position at this particular point in the history of the Medical Center and the evolution of health care. I am honored by this opportunity knowing that the many years of work and dedication by so many have resulted in an already remarkable scientific and clinical enterprise. Our patients inspire us every day and we believe these organizational changes will benefit those we are proud to serve.”

Prior to his tenure at Wake Forest Baptist, Sibert served as associate vice chancellor and president of the UCLA Faculty Practice, as well as adjunct professor of psychiatry for the Department of Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Prior to his UCLA appointment, Sibert served six years as the executive vice president for clinical services at the UNC Health Care System and as medical director and CEO for UNC Physicians and Associates at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sibert is a board-certified psychiatrist. He received his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and trained at the Hospital of San Raphael and at Yale University School of Medicine. Sibert holds a master’s degree in business administration degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Sibert also serves on the board of the American SIDS Foundation, and is a member of the Physician Consortium on Performance Improvement of the American Medical Association.

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